By .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and Adam Hetrick
24 Jun 2012

Corbin Bleu

Photo by Jeremy Daniel

The Broadway revival of Godspell, Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak's playful musical retelling of the Gospel of Matthew, ends its Broadway run June 24 with performances at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM at Circle in the Square Theatre.

When it closes, Godspell will have played 30 previews and 264 regular performances. A previously announced national tour will launch during the 2013-14 season.

The production is also offering a one-day-only "Tag Sale" June 24. From noon-6 PM, fans will be able to purchase Godspell show props, set pieces, theatre displays, promotional items and more at Davenport Studios, located in midtown Manhattan at 250 W. 49th Street, 3rd Floor, one block south of the Circle in the Square Theatre. A portion of all proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In addition to the "Tag Sale," additional items will be available for online sale beginning June 25 at www.godspell.com/tagsale.

Daniel Goldstein directed the first-ever Broadway revival of the funky, pop-rock musical that premiered on Broadway in 1976 (following a long Off-Broadway run that launched in 1971). The new, in-the-round production began previews Oct. 13, 2011, and officially opened Nov. 7 at the Circle in the Square Theatre. It is based on an original idea and concept by Tebelak, with music and lyrics by Academy Award winner Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, the upcoming Houdini).

While critics gave the new staging a mixed reception, audiences were charmed by the youthful cast, which originally featured Hunter Parrish, Lindsay Mendez and Telly Leung; the latter is still with the company. In recent months the production struggled at the box office, grossing only $156,437 in the week leading up to the June 10 Tony Awards.

Despite his passion for the production, producer Ken Davenport had indicated the possibility of a June 24 closing date on his blog, citing low box-office figures.

"I've never been more proud of a show than I am of Godspell," Davenport said in a statement released June 12 shortly before the 8 PM performance. "For nine months this incredible company of performers brought joy into the hearts of more than 153,000 people (and blasted them with over 1,000 pounds of confetti) ... forever changing their lives, and mine as well. And while this production of Godspell may not be at Circle in the Square past the 24th of June, it will be in our hearts and the hearts of everyone who saw it forever."

A Ghostlight Records cast album preserves the original revival cast. Michael Holland penned the new arrangements for this latest incarnation of Godspell. Many said a major highlight of the production's new musical palette is a plaintive, arresting take on "Beautiful City."

The cast currently features Corbin Bleu as Jesus and Wallace Smith as John and Judas, as well as Uzo Aduba, Nick Blaemire, Hannah Elless, Celisse Henderson, Morgan James, Telly Leung, George Salazar and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle. Understudies are Corey Mach, Eric Michael Krop, Julia Mattison and Amina Robinson.